Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have created a fascinating map of the U.S. showing — down to the county level — the geographical distribution of our sloth.
Using 2008 census data and CDC data collected from 2007 to 2009 as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers estimated the percentage of adults who got no physical activity during their leisure time in each of the U.S.'s 3,141 counties. Inactivity rates ranged from 10.1% to 43%, and there were clear trends of idleness by geographic area. States in the South and parts of Appalachia fared worst. For example, four of the five least active counties in the country were located in Kentucky. The mountainous and coastal regions of the West and Rocky Mountain area showed the lowest rates of lassitude — suggesting high rates of fitness — with Colorado gaining bragging rights as a state where 60 out of 64 counties logged less than 21% inactivity.
Hopefully, the data will help governments prioritize public-health initiatives throughout the country, especially given that the areas in which people are less likely to exercise in their free time are also those in which they're more likely to be obese and have Type 2 diabetes.
But, for now, rather than dwell on the laziest regions in the country, Healthland decided to celebrate those with the most active citizens.
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Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have created a fascinating map of the U.S. showing — down to the county level — the geographical distribution of our sloth. But we at Healthland prefer to look on the bright side, so we’ve taken the data on inactivity and compiled a list of the 15 most active cities in the country. Do you live in one of them?